This holiday is the perfect blend of the beauty of the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque and the amazing National Parks in the Southwest. Explore six National Parks on this incredible journey as well as enjoy a float trip on the Colorado River, a scenic cruise on Lake Powell and so much more!

Highlights

17 Meals (11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners)

Round trip airport transfers

Tour of Salt Lake City including historic Temple Square with a local guide

Visit Dead Horse Point State Park

Spend 2 nights in Moab at the heart of Utah's canyon country

Tour Arches National Park with a local guide and embark on a scenic float trip with a picnic lunch along the Colorado River

Travel through Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument and visit Capitol Reef National Park

Touring in Bryce Canyon National Park to see the multi-hued spires and cliffs set inside a natural amphitheater

Embark on a narrated tour of Zion National Park with its sheer cliffs and painted sandstone walls

Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Powell

Explore Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim

Drive through the Petrified Forest National Park and see the Painted Desert

Enjoy the Balloon Fiesta including the evening Balloon Glow and spectacular fireworks display

Marvel at the "Mass Ascension" of the balloons and watch as the sky above Albuquerque fills with color in a spectacular display of light and sound

Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway in the Cibola National Forest

A local guide joins us to explore Salt Lake City’s historic Temple Square and walk in the footsteps of the Mormon settlers who founded this city more then 150 years ago. Then, we venture into Dead Horse Point State Park with its amazing views of the Colorado River as it snakes its way through the massive sandstone walls, colorful canyons, mesas and buttes of the area. Later, we continue to Moab and our hotel. Meal: B

Day 3 Arches National Park and Colorado River Float Trip

Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of stone arches in the world. A local guide shows us the massive sandstone arches and describes the culture of those that have occupied the region. Enjoy lunch before boarding a raft for a float trip on the Colorado River. During the leisurely ride our oarsman will tell tales of the area as we explore river passages with names like Fisher Towers and Professor Valley. Meals: B, L

Day 4 Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

A morning scenic drive brings us to impressive Capitol Reef National Park, where white sandstone “domes” cap massive reef-like cliffs. Then we travel along Utah’s incredible Highway 12 Scenic Byway as we wind our way through spectacular Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Meal: B

Day 5 Bryce Canyon National Park

Today a guide joins us at the famed "Pink Cliffs" of Bryce Canyon National Park. The natural orange and red hues that color these formations called Hoodoos and are the result of iron oxidizing within the rock. Bryce Canyon National Park is truly one of the most spectacular scenic wonders in the world. Meals: B, D

Day 6 Zion National Park

Today features awe-inspiring Zion National Park, where the Virgin River has cut a dramatic rugged gorge through multi-hued sandstone, shale and limestone. We’ll look up at the towering rock walls surrounding us on all sides as we tour this incredible natural wonder aboard open-air sightseeing trams. Later, enjoy time on your own or shopping in picturesque Springdale. Meal: B

Day 7 Lake Powell Cruise

A scenic drive along Vermilion Cliffs National Monument brings us to the impressive Colorado River Gorge at Navajo Bridge. Near Page we climb aboard our vessel for an Antelope Canyon cruise on sky-blue Lake Powell. Dinner tonight has been arranged in the Rainbow Room at the Lake Powell Resort. Meals: B, D

Day 8 Grand Canyon South Rim

Entering through the east gate, we arrive at Grand Canyon National Park’s amazing south rim. World-renowned for its remarkable beauty and diverse range of rock layers, the Grand Canyon offers visitors an unmatched display of scenic wonders and breathtaking views. Meal: B

Day 9 Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert

Drive through one of the world’s largest concentrations of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park and see the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert. Meals: B, D

Day 10 Indian Pueblos Cultural Center and Evening Balloon Glow

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was designed to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and features original artwork, exhibits and theater presenting the accomplishments of the people of New Mexico. Later a local guide joins us for a tour of Albuquerque to learn about the history of the area. Just before dusk, the burners of nearly 500 balloons are ignited and the evening sky fills with a kaleidoscope of brilliant, luminous color at the Balloon Glow, followed by a vivid fireworks display. Meal: B

Day 11 Balloon Mass Ascension and Sandia Peak

It’s an early start today at the Fiesta Grounds for the “mass ascension” of over 600 specially shaped balloons as they lift off at sunrise. Later, take a thrilling ride aboard the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for incredible views of the Rio Grande Valley. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at Sandiago’s Restaurant. Meals: B, D

Day 12 Depart for Home

A group transfer takes us to Albuquerque’s Sunport Airport for flights home departing after 12:00 p.m. Meal: B

Rooms for the night before and after the tour are available. 2019 - Cost for a room in Salt Lake City is $249 and in Albuquerque is $279, tax included. 2020 - Cost for a room
in Salt Lake City is $259 and in Albuquerque is $289, tax included.